, 1887-09-08
WHITE SLAVERY IN COLONIAL TIMES
Redemptioners or Term Slaves Free
willers and Indented Servants.

49, 49, hAA@N 80 Wv ADoA NSAANb
white men, women and children were
held in bondage; that the colonial laws in
favor of uch servitude were as explicit
and severe as were those in support of
negro slavery. Such white persons owing
a personal service to individual masters
were generally known as term slaves"
though their legal status was represented
by the word ''redemptioner."
Isaac Weld, Jr., in his book of travels
in America, published in the last CEN
tury, asserts that it was the custom of
shipmasters at Rotterdam and the Hanse
towns to inveigle the people on to their
vessels, under promise of a free passage
to America. On reaching the colonies
announcement of the arrival of mechanics
and laborers would be made, and persons
in want of such would flock to the ships,
and the poor Germans would be sold to
the highest bidders, the captains pocket
ing the proceeds.
Relcmptioners constituted in the early
part Of the Eighteenth century a peculiar
feature of colonial anxiety. They were
recruited from among all manner of peo-
,lc il the Old World, and through this
channel Europe emptied upon America
not only the virtuous poor and oppressed
of her population, but the Migrants,
fclons and the dregs of her communities.
There was thus established among the
first settlers Il society that, in many
places, was almost imbued with a moral
pestilence. Among the redemptioners,
however, were a fair proportion of sturdy
souls, strong in purpose and endeavor,
who appreciated the great opportunity
created for them by this complete change
Of life and country. AT the expiration of
their term of service many, by thrift and
industry, elevated themselves to respect
able positions, and were absorbed in the
middle class.
There were two kinds of redemptioners
-"indented servants" who had bound
themselves to their masters for a term of
years previous to leaving the old coun-
try, and free willers, - who, being with
out money and DESTROYS of emigrating,
agreed with the captains of ships to
allow themselves or their families to be
sold on arrival for the captains advan-
tage, and thus repay costs of passage and
other expenses. The former-indented
servants-were often trapped into their
engagements by corrupt agents at home,
who persuaded them all under false
promises of tender and humane treat
ment. and assurances of remunerative
employment at expiration of service,
which would insure a competent provi-
sion for the remainder of their DAYS.
The emigrants often discovered on arrival
hat the advantages to be obtained in
America had been painted by the agents
in much too alluring Colors. Frequently
their masters forced them to most rigid
labor, II exercised an unnecessary
severity.
The free willers suffered even worse
treatment al the hands of shipmasters
and agents. They were led to believe
that on arrival in America their services
would be eagerly solicited by persons
who would gladly pay the cost of their
passages; which being only so, the emf
grants would soon be able to repay, and
thus secure their liberty and all the en-
joyment and prosperity that the new
country offered to a~dventurers. Agree
ments were entered into whereby these
deluded ones bound themselves, that if,
on arrival, they did not succeed within a
certain number of days in securing en-
ployment on their own terms, they could
be sold for n term of years to defray the
charges for their passages. Alas, the
free willers, y with rare exceptions, had
n rude awakening on reaching the col
onies. Under their agreements the cap
tains had a legal lien on the persons of
the emigrants until the ship charges were
paid; consequently they were not allowed
to so On shore, but were exposed to view
on deck to the people on came board
in search of servants. Except in cases
Of extraordinary qualifications, very few
of them were happy enough to make
their own stipulations, and they found
themselves sold for several years of tedi-
GUS labor and servitude.
The usual price paid in Pennsylvania
for three years service was e21 Is. Cd.
When his time had expired a mar was
entitled to receive two suits of clothes, a
%grubbing hoe, a wedding hoe and a new
ak. Children sold for from SO to SO,
and their masters were required to see
that they were taught to read and write,
and had at least n quarters schooling.
In New Jersey-according to Lean
ing and Spicer"-no white servant, if
sold or bound after II years of g could
serve above four years. If under that
age, they were to be free on reaching
their majority. At the expiration of ser
vice their masters were obliged to supply
them with two good suits of clothing,
suitable for a servant, one good falling
AK one good hoe and seven bushels Of
lnulan corn. "A servant was 10 be lmme-
diately freed in case of being so abused
by master or mistress as to result in the
loss of an eye or n tooth. The laws against
aiding redemptionists to escape were very
severe. A fine of Go was imposed for
offering assistance in such cases, and the
alder and abettor was obliged to make
full satisfaction TO master or mistress for
all loss, damage or cost sustained by the
absence of or search for the runaway.
Any IL who concealed or entertained an
~absconding redemptioner could be fined
at the discretion of the court, and be
made to pay ten shillings to the owner
for each day he had harbored the servant.
In looking back on the peculiarities,
changes, and gradations of society in
New Jerseys colonial days, it is curious
to note how the well to do emigrants
who brought with them or purchased
after arrival redemption servants, often
lost the prestige of their a%ffluence; being
unable in the new country TO maintain
their rank influence. Their humble SER
vitors. however, Injured by hardship and
labor to the stern necessities of colonial
existence, prospered and throve. The
bond people, after serving their time, ac-